An open door, a padlock, and a storage unit. After the loss of his wife in December of 2017, 54-year-old Thomas Burns began a relationship with 40-year-old Samantha Simmons. Months after the pair began dating Thomas Burns seemingly vanished. His home had been completely cleared out…only two urns and a deep freezer remained.  Least of These on Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/leastofthesepodcast/ Least of These Discussion Group:...

A map, a Greyhound bus, and an unexpected witness. Days after the murder of Lola Davis, 90-year-old Lawrence “Larry” Snider and 86-year-old Marguerite “Scoopy” Snider vanished from a grocery store parking lot in Oklahoma City. On October 2nd 1996 John Esposito and Alicia Woodward were found in possession of the Snider’s 1986 Chevrolet Caprice.  Esposito and Woodward immediately confessed to three murders…their confession shocked investigators. Sponsors:  Greenlight Start putting your kids...

A pet store, a crime spree, and mob boss, John Stanfa. In September of 1996, 90-year-old, Lola Davis was abducted from the Winn-Dixie parking lot in Lumberton, North Carolina. At the same time police found an abandoned car in that same grocery store parking lot with New Jersey plates. The abandoned car was registered to 19-year-old, Alicia Woodward.  The next day a ranch worker in Madison, Georgia found the body of Lola Davis. A crime spree that spanned multiple states left investigators...

A will, an “L” shaped stain, and the “Panty Dropper”. On July 19th, 2021, a man arrived at the home of 74-year-old Diana Way to purchase a collection of books. He found Diana unresponsive in her bedroom. When EMS arrived, Diana was pronounced deceased.  Firefighters found high levels of carbon monoxide throughout the house but what they couldn’t figure out was why… This episode is sponsored by Greenlight. Start putting your kids on the right financial path. Sign up for Greenlight today...

An upcoming marriage, a trip to the beach, and “Ostrich”. On March 26th, 2021, 35-year-old Rhonda Pattelena and her 33-year-old boyfriend, Jeffrey Buchanan took a walk along Short Sands Beach in York, Maine. Short Sands was Rhonda’s favorite place on earth. At 3:54 pm, 911 calls began to pour into the York Police Department. Callers reported that they witnessed someone being assaulted. By the time police arrived, the 33-year-old mother of three was deceased.  What happened…and why? If you or...

Hey guys! I’ve been super sick so my friend, Holly, is here filling in with the case of Renae Marsden. Renae Marsden was a 20 years old when she jumped to her death at The Gap in Sydney, Australia after her boyfriend of 18 months broke up with her. After her death the truth began unraveling on who her boyfriend truly was. Listen to her tragic story now. If you or anyone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide please call the Suicide Prevention Hotline: 988 or...

A trial, a plea deal, and a bunch of excuses. After 16-year-old Natalie Finn starved to death at the hands of her foster mother, Nicole, both Nicole and Joseph Finn were charged in her murder. Nicole took her case to trial, and the truth about what was happening behind the closed doors of  805 15th Street in De Moines was revealed through the testimony of the surviving children. What their testimony revealed was more disturbing than anyone imagined.  Full investigative report:...

March 28th, 2024, marks four years since Mary Collins was brutally murdered at the hands of people she trusted. In those four years, only one of the four, Kelly Lavery, has been convicted. Lavi Pham, James Salerno, and America Diehl are still awaiting trial. Salerno and Diehl are currently free on bond. This week Mary's grandmother, Mia joins the podcast with an update. Every year from March 28th - April 5th Mary's family holds an online candlelight vigil marking the days she was trapped...

A pet rescue, 10 reports, and a boarded window.  On October 24th of 2016, Natalie Finn was found unresponsive on her bedroom floor. The 16-year-old was taken to Blank Children’s Hospital where she was later pronounced deceased. As investigators began to piece together what happened, they found that Natalie wasn’t the only child being abused inside the Finn home.  Full investigative report: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/CI/1130515.pdf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

I was supposed to be off this week but I couldn’t wait to bring y’all an update on Tony’s case.  On January 12th, 2023 Walker County Deputies were called to the home of 33-year-old Anthony “Tony” Mitchell for a welfare check. He was arrested and booked in the county jail. Two weeks later, on January 26th, 2023, he was taken to Baptist Hospital and later pronounced deceased. The doctor who treated him said he died from hypothermia.  After a year, the results from Tony’s autopsy have been...

An arrest, two trials, and a heartbroken father. After Cara Knott was murdered in December of 1986 police honed in on a suspect, one of their own, California Highway Patrolman, Craig Peyer. Nineteen days after the murder Peyer was arrested but it would take two trials before a jury finally rendered a verdict.  For some it was hard to believe a “good cop” could commit such a heinous crime.  In the aftermath of Cara’s murder, her father, Sam Knott fought for  major changes in the criminal...

An unlikely suspect, a news segment, and scratch marks. Two days after Christmas, on December 27th, 1986, 20-year-old Cara Knott was driving back to her parent’s home after spending a few days with her boyfriend. Before she left she called her parents to let them know she was on her way.  Cara never made it home. Within hours her family launched a search party and found her white VW Bug parked on an abandoned stretch of Old US 395.  Hours later police found her body in the creek bed under...

A silent alarm, a gun store robbery, and surveillance video. On November 12th, 2013, 30-year-old Chelsea Small was working her job at Advance America Cash Advance on Telegraph Road when an unknown man walked in and shot her. In the span of a minute, the man walked in, murdered Chelsea and stole less than $250 in cash from the register. Despite the crime being captured on video surveillance, the identity of the assailant remains unknown. If you have any information about the murder of...

Dropped charges, opposing testimonies, and sudden passion. As the murder trial of Lisa Jones Dykes continued, Charles Beltran took the stand as a prosecution witness. Lisa Dykes testified in her own defense and her story was not only different than Beltran’s but everyone else’s too. The jury reached their verdict in under two hours but Dyke’s defense team had one more trick up their sleeve.  Sponsors Modern Fertility Get $20 off your fertility test when you go to...

A hairdresser, a relator, and the grim reaper. The trial for Lisa Jo Dykes in the murder of Marisela Botello began on December 5th, 2020. Those who knew Lisa Dykes, Nina Marano, and Charles Beltran testified before the jury about the relationship between the three and what happened after Marisela went missing.  What they had to say left the courtroom stunned. Today’s sponsor Earth Breeze Right now, my listeners can get started with Earth Breeze and  save 40%! Go to earth...

An international manhunt, missing evidence, and a repossessed Cadillac. Charles Beltran, Lisa Dykes, and Nina Marano were all charged in the murder of Marisela Botello-Valadez. As the case moved to trial it was discovered that the lead detective at the Dallas Police Department failed to turn over evidence to prosecutors. As fireworks flew in the courtroom over the missing evidence, the relationship between the suspects imploded and they began to turn on each other. Least of These on...

A missed flight, a wannabe rapper, and a sugar mama pyramid scheme. In October of 2020, 23-year-old, Marisela Botello left her home in Seattle, Washington and traveled to Dallas, Texas to visit a friend. On her last night in Dallas, she met 31-year-old Charles Beltran. Marisela never made it back home to Seattle. Six months after she vanished her body was found in Dallas County. Initially, Charles Beltran and two women were charged with her murder; 57-year-old Lisa Dykes and 49-year-old...

Due to technical difficulties, I am unable to release a new episode. It's been a week, ya'll! But I thought I'd take this opportunity to re-release arguably the most important episode I've ever recorded. Every episode is important but, in this case, we have the chance to make a huge difference. To this day, the Judge Rotenberg Center is still using electric shock therapy on 53 autistic and/or disabled human beings. I covered the history of the Judge Rotenberg Center from it's beginning to...

A pilot, a mistress, and two searches.  In April of 2021 a 13-year old girl came forward to report horrific sexual abuse at the hands of 30-year-old Maggie Ybarra and 40-year-old Michael Hendricks. The investigation into the sexual abuse case uncovered the murder of 32-year-old Kensie Renee Aubry who had been reported missing from Kansas City, Missouri. Resources and tips for keeping your children safe...

A stranded car, a sleeping toddler, and a bitter divorce. On November 6th of 2011 29-year-old Julia Biryukova, strapped her two-year-old son, Sky, in the backseat of her 1998 Acura.  She was headed to Overlake Hospital. But, according to Julia, the car ran out of gas on 112th Avenue. She went for help but when she returned Sky was gone. Investigators soon learned that nothing about the toddler’s disappearance was as it seemed. If you have any information about the disappearance of Sky...

It’s my last week off for Christmas and Kim with A Million Other Choices Podcast is filling in again with the stories of Jill Stuchenko, Cyntha Maas, Natasha Montgomery and Loren Leslie. We all know the names of many serial killers - but can we name the victims? One of Canada's youngest killers, Cody Legebokoff, was caught by chance and left a wake of destruction to families in his path. Every victim, no matter their lifestyle or station in life deserves justice and is loved and missed and...

I’m off for Christmas but have no fear because Kim with A Million Other Choices Podcast is here with the case of Donna Jones in Ottawa, Canada.  "Why doesn't she just leave?" The mythical question regarding domestic violence we've all probably asked ourselves at some point. Donna's brutal murder highlights trauma bonding. A Million Other Choices on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-million-other-choices/id1579267886?i=1000604917742 On...

A knock at the door, handwritten notes, and 44 days of surveillance. In November of 2019,  34-year-old Amber Aiaz and her daughter, 13-year-old Melissa Fu vanished from their apartment in Irvine, California. Amber’s husband, Cheng claimed a Chinese couple in their 40’s knocked on the door, sprayed him in the face with a substance that rendered him unconscious for hours and abducted Amber and Melissa. As the investigation into the disappearance progressed, detectives uncovered lies that may...

A burglary, Freddy Krueger, and a surprise confession.  In September of 1993 23-year-old Richard Djerf systematically tortured and murdered four members of the Luna Family; 46-year-old Albert Luna Senior, 40-year-old Patricia Luna, 18-year-old Rochelle Luna and five-year-old Damien. Djerf intended to commit a fifth murder that night but Albert Luna Senior intervened. Richard Djerf blamed the murders on a dispute with the Luna’s eldest son. But what investigators discovered was far more...

Abuse allegations, a text message, and a dark history. In October of 2018 Heather Gardner dropped off her healthy, happy, 11-week-old baby boy, Benson Xiong off with babysitter, Marissa Tietsort.  She never could have imagined that would be the last time she would see her son alive. An investigation would uncover a pattern and history of abuse that was more disturbing than anyone knew. For resources and tips on how to spot abuse and safeguard your children...